Oakwood student takes top honor in U.S. Air Force Museum art contest

Oakwood student Josh Cahoon won Best in Show at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force aviation art contest.

MORE: Dayton students featured on cover of National Publication for crosswalk painting

According to Air Force officials, more than 60 pieces of art created by local students from schools across the Miami Valley were on display at the National Museum of the United States Air Force during the 35th Annual Student Aviation Art Competition and Exhibition.

Cahoon, a sixth grade student at Smith Elementary School, won this overall prize, competing against students in grades K-12. The museum director invited him to cut the ribbon at the Memphis Belle unveiling May 17. He also won a $150 prize to the museum gift shop according to Traci Hale, community relations director, for the Oakwood City Schools.

Student artists from both private and public schools in Clark, Greene, Montgomery and Warren counties created artwork in honor of the Memphis Belle for the competition held from April 7 through May 6.

The Memphis Belle, a B-17F Flying Fortress, is one of the most famous aircraft in history. This highly recognizable symbol of World War II will once again report for duty exactly 75 years after its crew finished their last mission in the war against Nazi Germany on May 17, 1943.

The aircraft will be placed on permanent public display in the WW II Gallery of the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force on May 17, 2018.

The exhibit may be viewed from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily on the second floor, in the museum’s Missile Gallery.